Sex, Murder and A Double Latte

Book 1

When a mystery writer cries bloody murder, everyone blames her overactive imagination.

Thriller scribe Sophie Katz is as hard-boiled as a woman who drinks Grande Caramel Brownie Frappuccinos can be. So Sophie knows it’s not paranoia or post-divorce, living-alone-again jitters, when she becomes convinced that a crazed reader is sneaking into her apartment to reenact scenes from her books. The police, however, can’t tell a good plot from an unmarked grave.

When a filmmaker friend is brutally murdered in the manner of a death scene in one of his movies, Sophie becomes convinced that a copycat killer is on the loose —and that she’s the next target. If she doesn’t solve the mystery, her own bestseller will spell out her doom. Cursing her grisly imagination (why, oh, why did she have to pick the ax?), Sophie engages in some real-life gumshoe tactics. The man who swoops in to save her in dark alleys is mysterious new love interest Anatoly Darinsky. Of course, if this were fiction, Anatoly would be her prime suspect…

Passion, Betrayal and Killer Highlights

Book 2

Sophie Katz has just offered a man $12,000 for his services. Is she desperate or just meshugeneh?

Considering the kind of disasters that usually befall the half-black, half-Jewish mystery writer, probably both. Because the last time Sophie saw sexy P.I. Anatoly Darinsky, he practically danced a jig when she waved goodbye &151; a normal reaction for a man who’d nearly bought the farm trying to protect her from her own foolishness. What are the chances he’d agree to take incriminating pictures of her sister’s philandering husband? Or that he’d let her tag along &151; you know… for research?

But when her brother-in-law turns up dead and her sister becomes the prime suspect, Sophie’s priority is finding the real killer. With or without Anatoly’s help. Her brother-in-law’s secret life yields plenty of suspects, but the San Francisco police aren’t taking any of them seriously. So Sophie does what comes naturally to her: she stirs up trouble (to lure the killer out, of course).

But if her crazy plan works, will Anatoly be there to protect her this time?

Obsession, Deceit and Really Dark Chocolate

Book 3

Sophie Katz’s relationship with the irresistible and occasionally insufferable P.I. Anatoly Darinsky is on the fritz when a friend recruits Sophie’s investigation skills to decode her possibly two-timing husband’s strange behavior. When Sophie shows up in a short, red cocktail dress and her friend’s hubby winds up dead, the loveable would-be sleuth can’t help but take on the job.

Suddenly plunged into a crazy world of campaign mudslinging, dirt-digging and cover-ups, Sophie begins to uncover some pretty dirty secrets indeed-involving a conservative congressional hopeful’s involvement in the Furry community, a group of people who dress up in mascot-size stuffed animal costumes. Sex and politics, wouldn’t you know?

Way in over her head as usual, Sophie reluctantly-or not-so-reluctantly-enlists the help of her two-time sidekick and ex-Anatoly. Together they set out to determine who killed Eugene and why, and in the process can’t resist falling for each other-again?

Lust, Loathing and a Little Lip Gloss

Book 4

Mystery writer and dabbling recreational sleuth Sophie Katz is head over heels in love-with a three-bedroom Victorian. She’s just got to have it, despite a few drawbacks. Her slimy ex is the Realtor. The rich, creepy seller wants her to join San Francisco’s spirited Specter Society. And her first tour of the house reveals, well, a lifeless body clutching a cameo with a disturbing history of its own.

There’s no way Sophie is going to give up the ghost on her dreams of stained glass and original woodwork, though-even when things become officially weird. A Society member is found with a slashed throat, and Sophie’s house might as well be yelling, “GET OUT!” She’s hearing footsteps, lights are turning themselves off and her stuff keeps moving inexplicably. To top it off, boyfriend Anatoly thinks it’s all in her head.

Sophie is 99 percent sure her problems are caused by someone six feet tall instead of six feet under, but the only way to be sure is to track down the killer-before he pushes her kicking and screaming to the other side.

Vows, Vendettas and a Little Black Dress

Book 5

The peach taffeta Bridesmaid dress—that should be Sophie’s problem. Not attempted murder.

Overjoyed at Maryanne’s engagement, amateur sleuth Sophie Katz can’t wait for the wedding vows and party toasts to begin. But then Dena—best friend, bridesmaid, and all-around vixen—is mysteriously shot just after the announcement. Leave this to the authorities? No way. Dena may never walk again, and Sophie vows to marry her fists with the shooter’s face.

Problem is, the number of suspects is off the charts—from jaded lovers to anti-free-lovers to just plain old haters. Dena’s made plenty of enemies thanks to her popular sex shop—and, yes, she’s no saint—but really, who deserves to be shot?

With an überlogical almost boyfriend condemning her vigilante quest, and a wedding planner going vicariously bridezilla over the dream princess wedding, Sophie’s barely thinking straight. But if she can keep her cool (and avoid all errant taffeta), she just might nab her man and save the (wedding) day.

Big if.

Vanity, Vengeance & a Weekend in Vegas

Book 6

Bestselling mystery author and amateur sleuth, Sophie Katz has just discovered that Anatoly, her sexy Russian P.I. boyfriend of six years, is actually married to the daughter of a Russian mafia boss. Devastated by his betrayal, Sophie kicks him out their home in San Francisco.

Desperate to distract their friend and pull her out of her depression, Dena and Marcus spirit Sophie away to Vegas for a “fun-filled weekend” at a sex toy trade show. But bigger trouble awaits in Vegas. Anatoly is there; his beautiful Russian wife is there; and a dead body is there…stuffed into a hotel closet. To make matters worse, someone has gone out of their way to implicate Sophie in the murder. Sophie’s completely over her head and when a mysterious man offers her help she’s tempted to take it. But who is he and whose side is he on? It’s also clear that whoever the bad guy is, he would have no problem killing Anatoly, and although she may want to kill him herself, no one else is allowed to hurt Sophie’s man.

Chaos, Desire & a Kick-Ass Cupcake

Book 7

Nothing cures a case of the doldrums faster than a terrifying murder…

Mystery writer and dabbling amateur sleuth, Sophie Katz, knows her career and her fiery love affair with P.I. boyfriend, Anatoly Darinsky can survive anything except decaf and boredom. So, when Anatoly passes up a mysterious stalker case, Sophie decides to take it on herself…just for the drama of it all.

But when people involved in the case start dying under suspicious circumstances and the stalker sets his sights on Sophie what started as a recreational undertaking quickly becomes an obsession.

Is art and passion really worth risking your life for? And if not, will Sophie to walk away before it’s too late?

Seven Swans a’ Shooting

Short Story

This isn’t the first time amateur sleuth Sophie Katz has come face-to-face with a corpse—and now she’s in danger of becoming one herself.

With Christmas right around the corner, Sophie’s sister is organizing a Swan Lake flash mob for a tech mogul’s elaborate holiday marriage proposal. But when the prima ballerina turns up dead, Sophie and her sister become prime suspects in the murder, not to mention suspects in the theft of a massive diamond ring. Now Sophie has just twenty-four hours to find out who really killed the Swan Princess or risk losing her sister, her life…or maybe both.